The Bats - Softball bats have a maximum length of 34 inches, and the maximum drop is 12 inches. They are known for being slender compared to baseball bats, with the maximum diameter being 2-¼ inches.

The Speed of the Game - with smaller infields, players must “re-act” quickly, and the “short game” in softball is extremely important (sacrifice bunts, push bunts, bunt-for-a-hit, drag bunts, run slaps, power slaps)

The Numbers of Players on the Field - Softball can have up to 10 players on the field, adding an extra outfielder. The normal configuration is to add a Left center and Right center outfielder.

Length of Game - Softball plays a seven (7) inning game.

Game Rules - because of all of the factors above, some of the rules are simply different than baseball…(Ex.) no leads off the base, must slide into home on close plays, the idea and purpose of the pitching circle, batting helmets and face-guards required, etc.

1. Well Planned on paper before coming to the field (It makes you LOOK GOOD!).

2. Coaches arrive early so the head coach has time to explain the practice to the other coaches(this could take 5 min. with coaches that are on the same page….or it could take30 min. if a lot needs to be explained).

3. Players should arrive 10 min. early to practice so they can socialize, have some fun, and get ready with gear (bats by the cage, gloves by the end of the fence, cleats or sneakers on, catching gear by the backstop cage, carry bagsin a place where they do not interfere with anything.

4. HEAD COACH - try to enlist three or four assistant coaches, and be prepared to give them certain responsibilities at practices and at games….first base coach, third base coach, hitting coach, pitching coach, infield coach, outfield coach, catcher coach, scorekeeper,etc.Be ready to delegate…you can’t do it all yourself!

Reminder….A team that practices well will improve, and this is what every coach, player and parent would like to see.That is your measure of “SUCCESS”!

1. Warm-ups (Stretching and Running for Overall Conditioning)

- Stretching Exercises - try to do them “standing up” near the fences.They can hold on to itfor several stretches that require some balance.Stretch for about 10 to 15 min. and try to stretch or loosen…..

- Feet and Ankles

- Calves

- Thighs

- Quads

- Hamstrings

- Back and Sides

- Groin

- Necks

- Shoulders

- Arms/Wrists

- Running - drills can be done in a whole group or in 2 or 3 stations that “switch”

(Examples…)

- Long Striders (walking and running)

- High Leg Lifts (with walking…or with high running knees)

- Leg straddles (left side first, right side first, or alternating sides)

- Longer jogs….a field area that will take 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 minutes.

(let players work up to this gradually over time)

- Spring runs (like the length of the bases)

- Obstacle course ideas - view the field area and be creative…

2.Throwing & Catching

- Gripping the ball

- Catching - Start with a TARGET AREA by putting the glove in front of the belly.Tell players to put the Web “up” for high throws, “down” for low throws, go “left” and “right” for wide throws (which will include backhand catches and a step across the body)

- Throwing Drills

1. Elevated Wrist Snaps (hand and ball higher than the head)

2. Feet in Cement

3. Archer Throws

4. Step and Throw

5. Infield Dart Throws - for short distances only (ex…..Pitcher to 1B)

Line.They will pitch to each bunter as they go down the lines.Each bunter

Will hit the ball and run after it (as if they are getting out of the batter’s box).

Reloadthe ball bucket and repeat the line drill as often as you wish.

The Result…..batters get to bunt many balls.This drill is meant to go quickly!

3.Line up 6 or 7 players at home plate…..and line up 6 or 7 more at 2nd base (which

Will serve as a 2nd home plate area.One bunter will come to the plate at each

End of the infield….bunt and run it out.The batter at Home will run to first.

The batter at second base will run to 3rd.They will go back to the end of their

Line with their bat and get more chances.Since all of the ball will be going

Toward the pitching circle (where 2 coaches are tossing the balls from), the

Balls are easy to pick up.

6. Pitching:(unfortunately most softball coaches at all levels of softball know very little about pitching, what pitchers practice, how hard pitchers practice and they rarely know how to HELP a pitcher to improve.Yet pitching is the key to success at ALL LEVELS of softball.

2. Foot and body position on the base are extremely important….it needs practice!

3. Timing when to leave the base is crucial….it needs practice!

4. If “stealing” a base is allowed….it needs practice!

5. Be prepared to dive back to the back if you leave it…it needs practice !

- Drills For practicing base running skills

3.Practice the body and foot positions by using the first base line as the first base bag.

line everyone up on it…..tell them when to “GO”….but tell all players to only go a certain distance (line 5 running strides).Repeat this motion often

4.Set up 2 coaches as the pitcher and the hitter….practice the same drill by TIMING

when to run.(Repeat this drill often)

5.Every player will not be stealing a base, but they should know how to get off the base

and they should know how far to get off the base before they decide to run or

hold….from 1st and 3rd base….take 3 steps

……….from 2nd base….take 4 or 5 steps(not fielder should be near the runner)

6.Runners at 3rd base should be told to lead away from the base in FOULTERRITORY.If the ball hits them in FairTerritory, they will be called OUT !

7.Practice runners going from …..Home to first base….first to second…..second to third…..second to home…..and“rounding” all of the bases.

8.When ROUNDING any base only touch the CORNER of the base closest to the

PITCHER’S MOUND.(show examples of this).

9.Practice runners with grounders, line drives and fly balls….they should run on

grounders…..hold on line drives and fly balls until they see them land on the

field surface.

10.Practice running THROUGH the first base bag….make sure they don’t slow down

as they approach the bag……FULL SPEED AHEAD !

NOTE….RUNNING IS FUN to the kids.They enjoy it.Do some running drill in every practice.Make softball an active, energetic sport.Kids need the exercise !!!However, do not get angry at a team and use “running” as a punishment !

- Sliding:(Practice is required…use the grass….a blanket….or large cardboard sheets)

1. Teach the figure 4 slide (show an example)- take shoes OFF to practice this!

2. Have all players walk in lines in the outfield and on command ….SIT….they will

literally sit on the grass by putting their right foot OUTIN FRONTand

bending the left leg so that the left foot is UNDER THE RIGHT KNEE.This

makes the shape of a “4”.Repeat this many times and you will notice some

being clumsy and afraid…while others GET IT.Let the GET ITS show the

others how it should be done.(expect giggles !)

3. Then have the groups walk FASTER and gradually FASTER until it gets pretty

easy to simply SIT.Some may jog or break into a run

4.To fine-tune the slide….

- slide on both bottom cheeks….not the side of a hip

- after the sit position players should tuck the chin into the chest area and lay back

- NOTE….the head should not hit the ground if the chin is tucked in.

- NOTE….do not practice sliding on the dirt until players know how to slide